Biodiversity
Our commitment to effective land management and biodiversity conservation is longstanding. We work diligently to responsibly manage the land within and around our operations to protect biodiversity and maximize our contribution to nature conservation. Because the opening, operation, and closing of our cement and aggregates sites, in particular, can potentially affect biodiversity, we work constantly to minimize their potential impacts. These can include habitat degradation, species disturbance, changes in groundwater levels, discharges to water bodies, and dust emissions.
We recognize that our access to raw materials and our ability to operate in a given locale depends to a large extent on our ability to effectively manage our land impacts and protect the biodiversity of the area. However, we also believe that our operations, especially cement and aggregates, can have positive impacts and actually contribute to biodiversity conservation. For instance, quarries provide valuable habitats for some protected species through site rehabilitation, but also during the operating period.
We have quarry rehabilitation plans in most of our operations and many examples of successful rehabilitation projects focused on biodiversity conservation. We also benefit from longstanding relationships with conservation organizations in various countries in Europe, the USA, and Mexico, among others. For example, to enhance our performance, in 2007 we signed a 10-year agreement with BirdLife International, one of the world's most important conservation organizations, building on our existing relationship with the organization in Europe dating back to 2003. This partnership is an important aspect of our biodiversity management strategy and includes two important tools:
The Scoping Study
Launched in October 2010, at the CBD CoP 10 in Nagoya, the Biodiversity Scoping Study categorizes all 543 CEMEX sites in terms of their proximity – far, near or overlapping with - areas of high value for biodiversity such as Important Bird Areas, International Protected Areas, and Natura 2000 areas. The study also provides a set of innovative tools, spatial data and information describing the main biodiversity issues of each site. This enables both CEMEX and BirdLife partners to understand risks and opportunities, and evaluate proactive approaches towards conserving and enhancing biodiversity relevant to the broad geographic location of CEMEX sites.
The Scoping Study represented a significant milestone for the partnership, leading directly into the development of the next stage, the CEMEX Biodiversity Action Plan Standard.
For a look at a summary of the study click here.
The CEMEX Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Standard
The Scoping Study prioritized where action, to identify, protect, enhance and restore biodiversity – is most urgently needed.
The CEMEX Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) standard is simply a plan to identify, evaluate and conserve or enhance biodiversity. The BAP can be thought of as a tool for targeting conservation action at priority wildlife on or broadly within the context of CEMEX sites, promoting the development of collaborative partnerships, regardless of location, proximity to areas of high ecological value or experience in biodiversity management. It is basically a systematic approach to guide action for the important wildlife at or within the vicinity of CEMEX operations.
The following document summarizes the CEMEX Biodiversity Action Plan Standard and provides a comprehensive approach to biodiversity conservation within CEMEX.
To read CEMEX's Biodiversity Policy click here